Big Youth: Screaming Target Vinyl LP

Reggae fans need no intro to legendary mic master Manley Buchanan, aka Big Youth. Dude is a mesmerizing MC deejay, floating drunken master style over any beat he faces. Screaming Target is one of those classic foundation deejay records (‘longside U-Roy’s Dread In A Babylon), released on Trojan in 1973 with Youth chatting over the biggest records of the era (before deejay records were distilled into the one-producer format, so think of it like the Paul’s Boutique of toasting). First up: the title track is a searing, spliff-fueled rant over the "No, No, No" rhythm in which Youth and a friend argue over which is a better film: Dirty Harry or 'Screaming Target' (but the film is actually called Sitting Target). On “Pride And Joy Rock” Youth’s laidback chat style intertwines with The Don Leroy Smart’s voice like smooth licorice. “Tipper Tone Rock” is a tribute to Lord Tippertone Hi-Fi, the soundsystem Youth came up chatting on and clashing against the likes of King Tubby’s. Also check out Youth taking on Horace Andy’s “Skylarking” (“The Killer”) and Lloyd Parks’ “Slaving” (“Honesty”). The album comes full circle with Youth back on the "No, No, No" rhythm for “Concrete Jungle” to close out the set. This great-sounding repress features original front and back cover art and a really nice double-sided insert with extensive liner notes, credits and original label art. Recommended.

• official reissue
• full-color printed insert
• music label: Sunspot 2011

reviewed by carparts, bottles & cutlery 07/2018